knight's move (iris message)

[masterofmystery]

[In his time at camp, Ron's probably used iris messages less than half a dozen times. He's not really interested in them, so for any older campers it might come as a surprise when he appears through the rainbow being made in front of Cabin 6. He makes a face before considering.]

Seeing as there's loads of summer campers, I've a question for you. Normally, I don't go home, but I decided it might be alright. [A beat. It's been nearly three years, but it still prompts the question.] Any of you found ways to get back that are--er-- not just walking thousands of miles? [Cause he has to get to Nebraska and no.]

[Letting that settle in he continues.]

And since summer's letting out soon-- No offense, but most of you are dead awful at chess. Aside from Capture the Flag it's about the best game there is-- so I was sort of thinking, Fred and George told me about it once. Two people play the moves on a board and then they get enough people to be actual pieces. The pieces act out knocking each other it. S'a bit weird in a brilliant sort of way, so I was thinking it might make for some fun and practice. If anyone's interested.

[Then he smirks and shrugs.] Or you can just come get beat in a regular game. Doesn't bother me any.

Comments

[sometimesinsufferable]

[She had no reason to be responding to his message, especially because it hurt. She knew that a large part of why he was leaving at the end of the summer was because of her, and she had no idea how to fix it. She's silent for a bit, though Ron can probably see the lake in the background. Yup. Usual spot.

Then, tentatively, she speaks. She's trying to appear as though nothing has happened between them.]

A living game, then? [That seemed to be the safest subject to comment on.]

[masterofmystery]

[Let's get real, he'd actually expected her to respond. Or maybe he wanted to. She was too nosy not to, really, so maybe that was in part why he did the IM. No, it was definitely a part, even if he wanted to address the camp for something.

It still takes him a minute to respond, but it seemed his attention was also diverted to the basketball courts before he shrugged a shoulder.]

Yeah, sounded the best way to get a bunch of ADHD Demigods in for a game.

[sometimesinsufferable]

And how exactly is that going to work? [She knows exactly how it'll work. Ron had tried to explain chess to her years ago, and though she understood the game she never really cared for it. However, the explanation was asked for if only to keep the redhead talking.]

[masterofmystery]

Exactly how it sounds. [That is just kind of blunt. He'd be like this normally, too, but it's a little-more short than usual and he scowls.] It's chess, but with people.

[sometimesinsufferable]

People aren't pawns, Ron. [And if the words come out a little sharper than she meant, well, oh well. She's still keeping her attention off of him directly, focusing on watching some of the Poseidon kids in the water.]

[masterofmystery]

Oh, yeah, sure, because I go around using people. You're missing the point.

[IM]

[ospreyed]

Look who decided to come slum it on the IMs. [Eponine smirks over the rainbow at Ron.]

I've got a way to get home. Called 'Bernard's El Camino,' but that's 'cause I only live a few miles thattaway. [She points in the general direction of Brooklyn.]

Why'd you decide you wanted to go home? [Eponine has her own reasons for wanting to go back, mostly her younger brother and the duty she felt towards her family and, to be fair, her family's gang. But that was another story all together.]

[IM]

[masterofmystery]

Hah, funny. I've about five drachmas to my name, s'bit pointless to spend them. [He's just raising a brow with his own slight smirk.]

[A nod.] Lucky you. Last time I cam here it was a hike from Nebraska. Not exactly legal.

My family. [It's the easy response and a large part of them.] S'been a few years and I kind of want to try again for a bit. One of my older brother's is wanting to get married soon, too.

[ospreyed]

There are other ways to get what you want without money. [She may be fifteen, but she's a career criminal.]

Shit, you hitchhiked from Nebraska? Mother fuck-- you've got balls, Weasley. Nicely done.

Congrats to him. No one in my family is getting married any time soon. I donno-- ask around. Maybe a god can give you a lift back or something.

[masterofmystery]

[He frowns, shaking his head.] I'm not sure cornering the Goddess of rainbows is something I want on my record.

Yeah, well-- [He grins slightly, amused.] Never had much choice. Last time I'd only been thirteen.

Mightn't not, though. Since mom's the same feeling there and doesn't seem too in any of us getting married. This was me sort of asking, actually. Got to be some way for us without being completely illegal and dangerous. [Dangerous to mortals, which e wanted to avoid otherwise he would feel more guilty going home.]

[ospreyed]

Eh, got a point there.

I didn't have much of a choice, either. I told you that story, didn't I? [Court-ordered Camp. The whole thing was bullshit, but still somewhat better than having juvie on her record until she turned 18. She couldn't wait for her record to be wiped clean, though.]

If I had a way, I'd give you a drop-off, but I can hardly afford a pack of gum, let alone a plane ticket or something.

[masterofmystery]

Planning on punching some old hippie ladies anytime soon?

Yeah, you did. [But it was basically all ended as ordered in some form for them, really, so it was about the same.] They gave you ride at least though, right? [Well, technically, his mom gave him a sword but still. This do for yourself things was awful.

Honestly, I don't think most of us have the money for that sort of thing [Except maybe the Aphrodite kids, but still he shrugs.] Thanks, though. I'll figure out something-- always do.

[lastplaceigo]

Plane, bus, pegasi? [This is a problem she faces if she ever goes home; the joys of having your family on the complete opposite side of the country.

But that's not as exciting as the human chess thing. That sounds awesome as heck.]

I'd be better at chess if it weren't so boring, but with people as pieces... [Actually, she would suck at chess forever, but at least this way she has a chance.] I'd be game.

[masterofmystery]

Yeah, I don't exactly have the money for any of that. Normally it's just always been walking. [He knows the feeling. Nebraska is still closer than places like California, but it was still a long way back.

Yes, human chess is the most exciting, which is why he grins and gives a laugh.]

Sort of the point. I don't reckon a bunch of demigods in a chess tournament would last very long. So I figured it'd be loads more exciting if we got to beat each other up along the way.

[lastplaceigo]

I'm sure there's something. If anything, go talk to the kids over at Hecate's cabin; one of 'em has got to be working on a teleportation spell. [And if not, get on it, geez.]

Get it together, then, and I'll be there. Capture the Flag is getting kind of stale, anyway.

[masterofmystery]

[HAHA. Well normally he'd talk to a certain one of them, but not this time.] I'd be going thousands of miles away, not too certain I'd want to find out what happens if it goes wrong.

You're joking. Capture the Flag's still brilliant where I'm from. Just thought it'd be interesting to mix it up.

[lastplaceigo]

You could end up on the top of Mount Everest. It might be fun. [Griiiiiiiin.]

And no, I'm totally fine with Capture the Flag, but after three years of it, something else is nice.

[wasalmostdaphne]

If I was going home this time I could give you a ride to get you close. But I just got here.

Maybe next year?

[masterofmystery]

Nah, don't worry about it. The more of us around the more dangerous it gets, anyway. [A beat.] Gonna be a year-rounder, then? Or just waiting it out?

[wasalmostdaphne]

I need to learn something about who and what I am before I go home. I just got here. Plus my- *She doesn't know a word to put her relationship with Daphne succinctly.* someone close to me doesn't want me going to school with her. Might as well stay here.

I might go home around Christmas time. And it isn't like I plan to stick with you, I figured if I got you to Kansas you could find a way home from there.

[masterofmystery]

[He nods slightly.] Haven't been claimed yet? [Which is weird because she should have but.] S'a good idea. It's dangerous for us out there. Training a bit before heading back's probably the only way.

Still fairly out there, is what I'm saying. Me and Hermione came here when we were thirteen and making the trip with two of us was fairly awful.

[wasalmostdaphne]

Not a halfblood.

Yes, but I have a car. Which after some engine work will be suited to go off road and outrun monsters. Which should make getting you closer to home a bit more manageable. Right?

And since I'm not a halfblood, hopefully I don't attract monsters the way you do.

I DID THE THING

[worldabouttodawn]

Human chess? That sounds like an interesting twist.

[Already the wheels in his head are turning. Could they gather enough people? Who would be interested in doing this? How would they make a chess board and where?

Of course then he hears the last bit of Ron's message and can't help but raise an eyebrow.]

You're rather confident you'll win.

I SEE THE THINGG

[masterofmystery]

Never done it myself, so it sounded it, yeah.

[And he kind of grins.]

No one's managed to come close to beating me yet.

WOW I THOUGH I RESPONDED TO THIS OSIGHSODGIH

[worldabouttodawn]

[That almost causes Enjolras to smirk. Almost.]

Care for a match then?